Slovenia has announced that it will increase its contribution for the stabilisation of Iraq, Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel said after Wednesday's meeting of NATO foreign ministers which the US secretary of state described as "the best discussion of Iraq we have had as an alliance since the downfall of Saddam Hussein".
According to Rupel, Slovenia will immediately provide "a few instructors" for the training of Iraqi officers outside Iraq, and contribute about 100,000 euros for the project.
Additionally, the new Iraqi authorities will be offered assistance in the form of military gear and weapons worth five million euros. "These are weapons and equipment that the Slovenian army no longer needs," he explained.
The government is also considering increasing its effort in Afghanistan in the framework of the ISAF international force.
All NATO countries expressed willingness to make additional contributions towards the stabilisation of Iraq, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said after the meeting.
Minister Rupel also addressed his counterparts as chairman-in-chief of the OSCE. He stressed that "NATO must play a political role in the resolution of the Kosovo issue".
Rupel told the press that he was exceptionally pleased with the meeting, where "everyone agreed with everything". He labelled it the "announcement of a new period which many call the time of opportunities".
According to him, there were no tensions between European countries and the US. "I've got the feeling that we are in a moment of harmony," he said.
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